Eyes on Wise 11.7.19

Wise Z3 Conference on Next Generation Zionism
Featuring Gidi Grinstein, Yehuda Kurtzer, Josh Holo, Rabbi Uri Regev, Jodi Rudoren, Chaya Gilboa, Tomer Persico, Sivan Zakai, and many more to be announced!

Both the United States and Israel represent powerful and vibrant centers of Jewish life and are the primary contributors to the continuing development of the Jewish future. The Zionism 3.0 (Z3) movement reflects this reality by redefining Zionism for the next generation. Z3 conversations ask compelling and transformative questions like: What is the future of the relationship between the communities? How will both assert their independence and interdependence? How can we speak with each other in ways that encourage cooperation and recognition of our differences and alignments? Incredible challenges and opportunities are offered by the creative dynamic of this ongoing relationship.

Wise Guys Night In
Tuesday, November 12 | 7 p.m.

Rabbi Ron Stern and Wise Guys will celebrate a post-holiday “night in” to gather for meaningful camaraderie, good food, and even better drinks. We’ll enjoy each other’s company as we discuss what it takes to be successful as a Jewish man, citizen, husband, or father in 21^st Century Los Angeles. This is a great time for some values exploration, re-setting of priorities, and reaffirming what’s important in our lives.

Museums with Mario 
Annenberg Space for Photography
W|ALLS: Defend, Divide, and the Divine
Wednesday, November 13 | 11 a.m.

This exhibition examines the historical use and artistic treatment of walls over centuries. It is political, emotional, and aesthetic.

Admission fees may apply.
Parking: $4.50 for three hours with validation

Wise Women presents
Mahj & More
1-5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13
Tuesday, November 19
Wednesday, December 4

Members and guests are invited to join other Wise Women every month for open play Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge, or any other game you’d like. Groups or single players and all levels (beginners to experts) welcome and encouraged! If you have a Mah Jongg set, please bring it along. Snacks and light refreshments will be served.

This is a free event for members and guests, RSVPs are kindly requested.

Stephen Wise Temple and the Polyphony Foundation present
Bridging the Divide: Polyphony Quartet in Concert and Conversation
Thursday, November 14 | 7 p.m. | Pico Union Project (1153 Valencia St., Downtown)

The Polyphony Foundation aims to bridge the divide between Arab and Jewish communities in Israel through music and to serve as a worldwide model for cooperation based on cultural exchange, dialogue, and partnership. The Polyphony Quartet is comprised of violinists Yamen Saadi and Edi Kotlyar, violist Yuval Yatzkin, and cellist Mahdi Saadi. Together, they represent years of individual study at the Polyphony Conservatory and shared music making in Polyphony’s programs. The program will include Schubert’s String Quartet No. 13 in A minor (Rosamunde Quartet), as well as a full string quartet by an Israeli composer inspired by traditional Arab folk music, and a number of Arab folk tunes arranged for string quartet. Following the music, Co-Founder and Director Nabeel Abboud Ashkar and the musicians will answer questions from the audience.
Tickets are free but registration is required.

Soulful Shabbat Dinner with Guests from ISCD
Friday, November 15 | 6:30 p.m.

Athletes Asael Shabo and Ido Shkuri from Israel Sport Center for the Disabled will join us at Soulful Shabbat dinner to meet and greet our congregants.

Champions for Life Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition and Experience
Sunday, November 17 | 1:30 p.m. | Katz Family Pavilion

Meet incredible athletes from Israel and learn about the important work of ISCD, which provides hope for 2,500 children and adults with disabilities. This exhibition featuring athletes Asael Shabo and Ido Shkuri will showcase dynamic athleticism and teach all about the inspiring programs and mission of ISCD.
Learn more at AFISCD.org.

Wise School Students vs. Faculty Basketball Game
Sunday, November 17 | 3:30 p.m. | Katz Family Pavilion

Cheer on our Wise School students in the 2^nd annual Students vs. Faculty Basketball Game benefiting Israel Sport Center for the Disabled! Our Wildcats will team up and try to do their best against the fierce faculty and staff of Wise School, all in an effort to raise money for our partners at ISCD to purchase new high-performance wheelchairs for their incredible athletes.

Soulful Shabbat and Yo-neg Celebrating Rabbi Yoshi’s 50th Birthday
Friday, November 15  
6:30 p.m. | Dinner
8 p.m. | Shabbat Service

We will welcome special guest speaker Jonathan Ornstein, Executive Director of JCC Krakow. After services, join your community for a special Yo-neg dessert reception in celebration of Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback’s 50^th birthday. Have a slice of cake with us!

Wise Years
PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE: Thursday, November 21
10 a.m. | Registration Begins | Plotkin Chapel
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins

Southern California-based journalist and writer, Nancie Clare, will discuss her book, The Battle for Beverly Hills: A City’s Independence and the Birth of Celebrity Politics, that tells a fascinating episode of local history. Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, co-founder of Chai Village LA, and co-author of Getting Good at Getting Older, will share her perspective on how might new Jewish rituals for a new age not only transform individuals but also our community and its views about growing older. Film: Monsieur Lazhar, Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nominee, tells the poignant story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well-liked teacher.

Center for Youth Engagement presents
WTY Battle Royal
Sunday, November 24 | 6 p,m,

Join WTY for a laser tag showdown on campus. Wise Temple Youth grades 8-12 are invited to join!

Wise Jams
Tuesday, November 26 | 7:30 p.m.

Please join us for a night of music at Wise Jams with Rabbi Yoshi, David Kates, and fellow musicians from the Wise community. Are you an ace on the bass? Get your kicks on the sticks? Bring your axe, your sax, your vox, and your chops. We’ll supply the mics, amps, sheet music, and a rockin’ good time!

Pre-Event Reception for Here All Along: Sarah Hurwitz
Monday, December 2 | 6:15 p.m.

Join Wise Women for a light wine and cheese reception before our Center for Jewish Life presents Sarah Hurwitz, author and former White House speechwriter. This event is free for women who are members of Stephen Wise Temple and $18 for guests.

Center for Jewish Life presents
Here All Along with Sara Hurwitz
Monday, December 2 | 7:30 p.m.

From 2009 to 2017 Sarah Hurwitz served as a White House speechwriter, first for President Barack Obama and then as the chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama. Hurwitz worked with Mrs. Obama to craft a number of widely acclaimed addresses including her 2012 and 2016 Democratic National Convention speeches. Sarah was also chief speechwriter for Senator Hillary Clinton from early 2007 until her concession in 2008.

At the age of 36, Sarah took an introductory class on Judaism, attending on a whim. On the road, she found beauty in the rituals, guidance on living an ethical life, a deeper understanding of God—well beyond anything she had learned in Hebrew school. This initiated a multi-year journey meeting with rabbis, attending meditation retreats, sitting at Shabbat tables of Orthodox families, and the reading of many books on Judaism.

Forty Years After: The Los Angeles Persian Jewish Community
Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and Dr. Saba Soomekh
Identity  |  Wednesday, December 4, 2019  |  7:30 p.m.
Sexuality  |  Wednesday, January 8, 2020  |  7:30 p.m.
Culture |  Wednesday, February 19, 2020  |  7:30 p.m.

The impact of the revolution in Iran in 1979 goes well beyond the Middle East and few communities in the United States have felt that impact more than Los Angeles. The Jewish community has been forever changed by the immigration of tens of thousands of Persian Jews over the past four decades. The influence has been mutual—both communities have been transformed in exciting ways because of these larger forces.

This series explores the mutual impact of the Persian Jewish community, the broader Los Angeles Jewish community, and the City of Los Angeles.

Two Extraordinary Stories:
Izzy Ezagui and Daniel Sahalo
in Dialogue with Rabbi David Woznica
Monday, December 9 | 7:30 p.m.

Izzy Ezagui is the only one-armed special forces sharpshooter in the world. Born in the United States, he emigrated to Israel at age 19 to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. In 2009, he sustained serious injuries in a mortar attack, losing his left arm above the elbow. He had been left-handed. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, Izzy weaned himself off heavy painkillers, got back into shape, and returned to active duty in the IDF. After military service he returned to the United States to pursue an acting career.

Daniel Sahalo was four years old when his family fled the famine and political instability of Ethiopia. For eight weeks they walked toward the border of Sudan. Barefoot and traveling only in the darkness of night, they faced gangs of thieves, starvation, bitter cold, and wild animals. Tragically, Daniel’s 23 year old sister and her toddler daughter did not survive. Ultimately the family was flown to Israel. Daniel enlisted in the prestigious IDF paratroopers 101 combat battalion.

Museums with Mario — The Hammer Museum
Lari Pittman Retrospective
Wednesday, December 11 | 11 a.m.

The first large-scale retrospective of this prolific Los Angeles painter and long-revered teacher is a feast for the eyes.

Parking: $7 for three hours with validation

URJ Biennial
Chicago | December 11-15, 2019

Join your Wise clergy, staff, and lay leaders as together we connect with thousands of Reform Jews from across North America and around the world to learn, pray, share ideas, dance, and sing. The list of inspiring speakers includes author and President Obama’s speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz (an upcoming Center for Jewish Life guest), URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Rabbi David Saperstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jodi Kantor, and many, many more!

Wise Years
Thursday, December 12 | Plotkin Chapel
10 a.m. | Registration Begins
10:30 a.m. | Program Begins

Dream a World Education’s Founder and Executive Director, Bunny Hull, and the first Social Action Director for Stephen Wise Temple who serves as the Foundation’s Board President​​, Diane Kabat, will discuss the work of Dream a World Education and showcase their Emmy nominated documentary short film, The Ripple Effect, which examines the struggle to keep arts alive for inner city children and reveals the power of arts education to educate the heart and impact schools and communities and the lives of those living in poverty.
Sandy Banks, Senior Fellow at the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy,​​​​​​ will share how she came to realize that her profession had shaped her in ways that could not be undone: a look at the blessings and burdens of the writing life.
Film: Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People, tells the story of Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911), a penniless immigrant who arrived in the U.S. during the Civil War. 

Tot Shabbat
Saturday, January 11
10 a.m. | Wise Woods

Gather together with our community for a festive service! Our Clergy and song leaders lead our music- and story-filled service that introduces the youngest members of our community to the joy of Shabbat. Parents and grandparents will love it too!

American Jewish Committee Los Angeles presents
Ira E. Yellin Community Leadership Award Celebration
Sunday, November 24 | 1 p.m. | Stephen Wise Temple

Wise members Julie and Steve Bram will be presented with the Ira E. Yellin Community Leadership Award by AJC at a special brunch reception. This distinguished award salutes the accomplishments of Los Angeles outstanding leaders from all walks of life: civic, community, business and political, who have made Los Angeles a better place.